DOVER — Early this evening, officials reported a power outage throughout the area of Dover and Somersworth affected over one thousand of Public Service New Hampshire (PSNH) customers.

PSNH spokesman Martin Murray said the power outage as of 6:15 p.m. had left 1,300 customers without power.

PSNH Spokeswoman Laura brown confirmed in total, 1,400 customers were affected just before 7 p.m. The outage was attributed to an equipment failure, specifically to an insulator involved with the operating system, Brown said.

The outage was under control by around 6:50 p.m. Brown added power would return shortly to the area around that time with the first of the outages reported in the area just after 5 p.m.

“Many of our large customers are already back on and in service so we believe those outages will be cleared very shortly,” Brown said.

Reports indicated at 6:30 p.m. police had worked to clear off entrances to businesses in the Weeks Crossing area at the Dover and Somersworth line, with a full blackout in the commercial area.

Officials worked to direct traffic at the intersection off Route 9 when the traffic lights were without power along with the many surrounding restaurants.

A manager of the Chili’s restaurant in Dover reported the outage was fairly minor and by 7 p.m., the restaurant was fully operating and already full with customers again.

The 99 Restaurant in Dover reported they were also back up and running just after 7 p.m. and they were only affected for about an hour.

A drizzle of rain, and heavy fog was experienced throughout the Garrison City earlier in the evening, though PSNH officials did not point to the weather as being a cause for the outage.